Coherence in carotenoid-to-chlorophyll energy transfer

The subtle details of the mechanism of energy flow from carotenoids to chlorophylls in biological light-harvesting complexes are still not fully understood, especially in the ultrafast regime. Here we focus on the antenna complex peridinin–chlorophyll a–protein (PCP), known for its remarkable efficiency of excitation energy transfer from carotenoids—peridinins—to chlorophylls. PCP solutions are studied by means of 2D electronic spectroscopy in different experimental conditions. Together with a global kinetic analysis and multiscale quantum chemical calculations, these data allow us to comprehensively address the contribution of the potential pathways of energy flow in PCP. These data support dominant energy transfer from peridinin S2 to chlorophyll Qy state via an ultrafast coherent mechanism. The coherent superposition of the two states is functional to drive population to the final acceptor state, adding an important piece of information in the quest for connections between coherent phenomena and biological functions.